Heathrow launched its SAF incentive scheme in 2022. In 2023, the program supported the use of approximately 70,000 metric tons of SAF, increasing to an estimated 155,000 metric tons in 2024.
The scheme aims to make SAF more affordable to airlines by creating a SAF incentive “pot” that is funded by aeronautical charges. According to Heathrow, airlines that plan to uplift SAF at the airport bid to the pot and receive a rebate.
The program is targeting 3% SAF use at Heathrow for 2025, equating to approximately 187,000 metric tons. The 2025 incentive aims to align with Heathrow’s target to be 1% above the U.K. mandate in 2030, achieving 11% SAF use at the airport.
“Sustainable Aviation Fuel is no longer a future promise—it’s a proven solution that is powering flights worldwide,” said Matt Gorman, director of carbon strategy at Heathrow. “Our SAF incentive scheme, part of our Connecting People and Planet sustainability strategy, has made significant progress and we're now exploring options to set a long-term incentive signal to 2030. We are delighted that government has moved so quickly to legislate the SAF Mandate. We must now accelerate legislation for the SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism to ensure we can build a domestic industry that will help decarbonize and drive economic growth.”
The U.K.’s SAF mandate entered into force on Jan. 1, 2025. By law, SAF must now account for at least 2% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the U.K. The mandate is set to expand to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040.
